That should rarely be a problem if cleaned and lubricated properly and often enough.






.

I always try to smear a minute amount of grease (RIG, vasoline, etc) on the hook when ever I assemble it. Push a patch with any good solvent through the barrel, wipe it off after shooting, she will never let you down. I don't have access to a gunsmith without having to trust the UPS or the Postal Service to ship to a gunsmith I'd trust to disassemble it for cleaning.

If you never shot trap with a SBT you will be surprised how good they shoot and move, I have a Ithaca 4E that I shoot trap with but am always on the look out for a Parker. My 4E was made in 1924 and all I did when I bought it was replace the recoil pad and a good cleaning.

Buying a SBT
 

You might want to find a copy of Frank Conley`s book on American Single Barrel Trapguns. I have collected American SBT`s for the last 20 years or so. As a collector I would look for condition and originality.

There are many different single barrels from which to choose. If you are thinking vintage, a nice Ithaca 4e or 5e Knick guns are great values today. Parker C grade very nice SBT, a little harder to find.

There are alot of the vintage guns that have been well maintained. Most have had the recoil pads changed. Most will have 32" barrels. Might be a good idea to mic the bore and choke, Of the ones that I have
checked have not been altered... Hope this is of some value.

Trap3

I agree-find a copy of Frank Conley`s book on American Single Barrel Trapguns.
Excellent collection of information concern all the period SBTs.
Jim

what were the most common pads used on those sbt's from the period? I know some co's sell retro pads. if I had to replace a rotted one, which would you use?

Bob, Hawkins pads were listed as standard from the factory.

Ithaca Knicks were normally fitted with the Ithaca "Sunburst" pad. Parkers were commonly fitted with a Silver pad or a Hawkins pad. The Hawkins with the straight vents was not normally used. A repro Silver, as sold by Griffin and Howe, is the pad I have used for a long time on large butt guns.

Pad on SBT`s
 

Original Hawkins on Parker SC, pic #1

Original Silvers(100+years old hard as a rock) 1st variation Baker SBT, pic#2

Original Hawkins on Baker Elite SBT, pic#3

Original Ithaca Sunburst Pad, pic#4

Trap3

SBT`s Recoil Pads
 

Here are a couple more recoil pads used on vintage SBT`s...
These are original Jostams Mfg. HY-GUN and ANTI-FLINCH...

Trap3